Drawbench arm mechanism



Nov. 11, 1941. RODDER HAL 2,2 2,432

DRAWBENCH ARM MECHANISM Filed Jan. 15, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS W/AZ/AM EODDAFP DONALD l/ ST/POC/F Nov. 11, 1941. w. RODDER ETAL 2,262,432

DRAWBENCH ARM MECHANISM Filed Jan. 13, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS W/Z L /A M EODDffE .DO/VAAD M 9760614 ram-t;

Nov. 11, 1941. w. RODDER ETAL 2,262,432

DRAWBENGH ARM MECHANISM Filed Jan. 13, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENT R5 W/ll/AM E02 5/? 4 ,DO/VALD MST/Pack Patented Nov. 11, 1941 DRAWBENCH ARM MECHANISM William Rodder and Donald v. Strock, Youngstown, Ohio, assignors to The Aetna-Standard Engineering Company, Youngstown, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application January 13, 1941, Serial No. 374,158

7 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for removing bars, tubes or the like from a draw bench after completion of the draw ng op ration.

In the usual form of draw bench used to reduce the diameter of bars or tubes by drawing through a die, a carriage, having gripping jaws which clamp an end of the articles to be drawn, is supported on tracks on the bench and adapted to be moved away from the die a distance sufllcient to draw the entire length of the tube through the die. A free path must, of course, be provided for movement of the carriage over the tracks of the bench structure but, in order to facilitate removal of the drawn tube from the bench after it has been pulled through the die and released from the carriage gripping jaws, transversely extending skid arms have been provided which may be positioned across the draw bench tracks under the tube and are suitably inclined so that the tube will roll off the bench when released.

It is of course understood that bars, tubes, or other articles which can be processed on a draw bench are intended to be included when reference is made herein to tubes."

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide operating mechanism for the discharge arms of a draw bench whereby drawing movement of the carriage over the bench is not obstructed but a series of discharge arms will successively swing into discharge position under the tube as the carriage moves along the bench during the drawing operation.

Other objects of our invention include:

The provision of a discharge arm operating mechanism of the type described in which fluid under pressure is employed to move the discharge arm and movement of the arms is cushioned and controlled by fluid pressure action; the provision of an extremely simple, rugged, and compact discharge arm operating mechanism which employs a minimum of moving parts and which is easily installed and operated; the provision of fluid pressure actuated discharge arm operating mechanisms arranged along a draw bench and provided with latch means whereby movement of the carriage controls the movement oi! the discharge arms into discharging position; and, the provision of control mechanism Tor draw bench discharge arms whereby all of the arms may be simultaneously returned to retracted or idle position.

The above and other objects 01' our invention will appear from the Iollowing description or one embodiment thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic fragmentary plan view of a draw bench showing our discharge arms in place and illustrating the draw bench carriage at a mid-position during its drawing movement on the bench.

Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view of a draw bench and carriage embodying our improvements, taken approximately on line 2-2 of Figure l. I

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the discharge arm operating mechanism and carriage structure shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 2 except that the parts are shown in the positions they assume when the discharge arm is in discharge position. I I

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic layout showing the piping and control valve arrangement for the fluid pressure hook-up to a series or our improved discharge arm mechanisms.

In Figure 1 the draw bench rails or tracks are indicated at I and 2. The die 3 is adapted to reduce the diameter of a tube 4, the end 01' which is clamped in a suitable clamping means on the carriage 5 which in turn is supported on wheels 6, I, 8 and 9 carried on the tracks I and 2.

The carriage 5 is operated by a chain Ill in well known manner which need not be described in detail here, and it will be understood that, when a tube is to be drawn through the die 3, its end is first crimped or reduced so that it can project through the die and the gripping jaws on the carriage 5 then grasp the end. The carriage is then hooked on to the chain III which moves in a direction to drive the carriage 5 to the right (Figure 1) drawing the tube 4 through the die. At II, I2, I3, I4 and I5 we have indicated discharge arms or skids for removing the drawn tube 4 from the bench. These arms are operated by mechanisms indicated at II, I2, I3, I4 and I5. Arms II, I2 and I3 are shown in their discharging position (Figure 1), while arms I4 and I5 are still in their retracted or idle position, out or the way of the carriage 5 which has not yet moved beyond the last two skid arms.

As all of the discharge or skid arms and the operating mechanisms therefor are substantially identical only one arm and operating unit will be described in detail. Referring to Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5, the arm I4 is shown in its retracted position disposed parallel to the tracks I and 2 (except in Figure 2 where the arm I4 is indicated in dot and dash lines in the position it assumes a cured to a vertical shaft ":(I'h

when adapted to discharge the tube 4 from the bench). At the inner end of the arm I4 is a hub portion l5 which is mounted on and suitably see lower end of the shaft l-1 extends into and is supported by a bearing housing portion i5 onthe supporting bracket l5 which, as illustrated, is pivotally chamber portionjfl in which is disposed a gear section 24 f the shaft 51.

Extending transversely of the housing I is a tubular'section25 having a bore 25 in which a plunger member 21 has a sliding fit. One side '01 the plunger 21 is formed with rack teeth 25 which engage the teethio! the gear section 24 of shaft l1. Thus movement oi the rack 21 will cause corresponding rotation of the shaft i1.

As best seen in Figure 5, a small piston or plunger form the desired seal between the pistonsand the cylinders, and cushioning springs 55 and 55 may be provided in enlarged recesses at the ends of the tubular housing 25. The washers 51 and 55 have sliding movement in the housing and the springs and 35 abut against other washers 5| and 40 at their outer ends.

When the shoulder between the rack section 21 and the piston 35 strikes against the washers 55 (as in Figure 5) the impact is cushioned by the mouse the arrow, the valve will assume the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 6 and the supply line 41 will be closed at the valve and the header 55 will be opened to the atmosphere through pipe 54. Pressure is applied to each of the valves at all times as there is a direct connection from.

thesupply line 41 to each of these valves.

Referring to Figure 5, it will be seen that the supply pipe leads to a passage or chamber 55 in the valve 45. Atthe end oi this chamber 55 there is a ball check valve 6| held against a suitable seat by a light spring 52. Thus air may pass ireely from the passage 55 to the chamber 53 of the valve 45 and from there on into the cylinder 3|. An auxiliary passage extends from chamber 55 to chamber 55 and provides a restricted outlet orifice which is controlled by the adjustable needle valve 55. It will be seen ,that valve 45 as a unit permits the tree flow or air from the pipe 55 toward the cylinder II but restricts the how in the opposite direction because, when air ilows in said opposite direction the check valve 5| seats and the main passage through the valve is closed- Air, however, can escape through the by-pass passage 54. The flow through the passage 54 is restricted to the desired extent by the adjustable needle valve 55.

The valves 45 are constructed in the same manner as just described in referring to valves 45 and free passage of air from the pipe 55 to the cylinder 22 (Figure 5) is permitted while outcompression of the spring 35, and, in like manner,

the spring 35 will cushion-the movement in the opposite direction. This cushioning action tends to stop themechanism without excessive jar, but, as will appear more fully later, may be omitted in some instances if desired due to the accurate control of the movement of the discharge arm by fluid pressure means.

Connection, to the small cylinder 5| is made through a pipe 4| and to the large cylinder 32 through the pipe 42. Referring to Figure 6,

' three discharge arms with their operating mechanisms are illustrated but it will be understood that iive arms,v as shown in Figure 1, or any other desired number, may be hooked up in similar manner. In Figure 6 the small cylinders of the operating mechanisms are indicated at 43 and the large cylinders at 44. Each of the pipes 4| leading to the small cylinders 45 is provided with a combined check and needle valve 45, and each of the pipes 42 leading to the large cylinders 44 is supplied with a similar combined check and needle valve 46. Air under pressure, from any suitable source, is supplied through a pipe 41 which branches at 45 and leads to each of the valves 45 through connecting pipes 45, 55, 5| and 52. The supply line 41 extends to a three way valve 55 having one outlet to the atmosphere through a pipe 54 and havinganother outlet connected to" a header pipe 55 having branches 55, 51 and 58 extending tothe valves 45 of the respective discharge arm operating units.

An operating handle for the control valve 55 is indicated at 59, and when the valve is in the position shown the pressure supply line 41 is connected to the header 55, and the atmospheric connection 54 is closed. It the handle 55 is moved through 90 to the right as indicated by iiow oi air, from the cylinder 52 is restricted by the needle valve 55 of the check valve 45. The valves 45 and 45 of each discharge arm operating unit are arranged in the manner Just described.

Air under operating pressure is always admitted to the small cylinders 3| and, when the valve 55 is in the position shown in Figure 6, air under operating pressure is also admitted to the large cylinders 32. Due to the difference in area of these cylinders the pistons 29 and 35 will be moved to the left from the position shown in Figure 5 and the discharge arm, which is mounted on the top of the shaft i1, will be moved counter-clockwise, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 6, into retracted position.

end 55 of the pawl 55 engages a projecting lug:

58 on the hub l5 of the discharge arm and a torsion spring 15 tends at all times to turn the pawl 55 in counter-clockwise direction and hold the end 55 in position to engage the lug 59. "As seen in Figure 3 the end 55 is in latching position holding the arm I 4 in retracted position. A trippin dog 1| is secured to an arm 12 mounted on the side of the carriage 5, and this dog 1| is pivotally supported at 13. A stop pin 14 limits the upward swinging movement of the dog 1|, and a stop block 15 (see Figure 3) prevents movement of the dog in the opposite direction beyond its vertical position.

'Assuming that the carriage 5 in Figures 3 and 4 is moving to the right during the drawing oi a swing the latch 55 into the position shown in dot' and dash lines, releasing the arm l4 and permitting it to be moved into discharging position by the action of the piston 29 in the small cylinder 3|, as will be explained more fully later. As the carriage goes on past the latch 66 the" dog II will snap over the end of the latch. .When the carriage arrives at each of the discharge arm operating devices the dog II will kick out each latch in turn, thus permitting the discharge arms to be swung successively into discharging position just as soon as the carriage passes by.

In the operation of our improved apparatus, after a tube has been drawn and each oithe discharge arms has been moved into discharge movement the small piston 29 also moves to the left and the air in the cylinder 3| escapes through the controlled outlet 54 and is backed up into the air supply pipe. By regulating the needle valves 65 of the check valves 45 the speed of the retracting swing of the arms can be regulated as the piston 29 cannot move to the left,

any faster than is permitted by the escape of air."

through the orifice at the needle valve 55. Thus the retracting travel of the discharge arms is controlled and cushioned so that a rapid but smooth and easy operation is obtained.

When each discharge arm reaches its fully retracted position the end 68 'of a pawl 66 snaps into locking position as seen in Figure 3 and pre: vent return movement of the arm into discharge position.

The carriage 5 may now be returned to the die 3 to grip another tube and during this return movement the dog II will strike the projecting ends 15 of each of the pawl members but will pass freely thereover as the dog ll may swing on its pivot 13 to pass by the pawls on the return movement of the carriage. This swinging of the' dog H is indicated in dot and dash lines in Figure 4, and the pin 14 prevents excessive swinging movement of the dog H.

After the carriage has been completely retracted and is positioned adjacent to the die 3, or at any other time after each of the discharge arms has been retracted and latched, the operator may move the valve 53 through 90 into the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 6. When in this position air under pressure is connected to each of the small cylinders 43 but each of the large cylinders 44 is connected to the atmosphere. Thus, as soon as the latch 66 of any one of the discharge arm units is kicked out by the dog II the air pressure operating against the small cylinder 29 will move this cylinder to the right (Figure 5) moving the shaft l1 and the discharge arm carried thereby through 90 into discharging po sltion. During this movement of the piston 29 the large piston 30 has a corresponding movement and air is discharged from the large cylinder through the port 64 in the check valve 45. The flow through the port 64 may be adjusted by the needle valve 65 as described above, and thus suflicient resistance may be imposed upon -movement of the double ended piston assembly to control the swing of the discharge arms and prevent excessive shock and wear and tear on the apparatus. The spring cushions and 36 also assist in preventing excessive shock at the ends of the movement of the discharge arm.

The pivotal support of each arm I4 and its operating mechanism on the rods 20 permits the weight of the drawn pipe or bar, when resting on the arm H. to move the bottom of the arm into contact with the top of the drawbench. As seen in Figure 2, the arm I 4 is not touching the drawbench and thus free swinging of the arm in a substantially horizontal plane is permitted. When a heavy drawn tube or the like rests on the top oi arm I4 the entire arm and operating assembly is moved slightly about its pivotal support" until the bottom of the arm I4 rests on and is firmly supported by the top longitudinal members of the draw bench. As soon as the drawn article rolls oil. of the inclined upper faces of the arm the weight of the arm operating mechanism returns the arm to the position of Figure 2. It will be understood that the movement about pivot 23 is slight and is not suflicient to aflect the proper operation of any of the parts.

After a drawing operation is completed andv the discharge arms have served their function the operator merely moves the control valve 53 to cause all of the arms to be retracted simultaneously and locked in retracted position. He may then immediately return the valve 53 to the position where the small pistons are subjected to operating pressure and the large pistons connected to atmosphere, so that, as soon as each latch 56 is kicked out, the corresponding arm will swing into discharging position.

With our improved apparatus an exceedingly simple operation of the discharge arms is provided. A single valve controls the entire series of arms and the successive swinging of the arms into discharge position is entirely automatically controlled by the movement of the carriage. Al-

though speciflc reference has been made herein...

to air under pressure as the actuating fluid, oil or other suitable fluid may be used if desired.

Although we have described the illustrated embodiment of our invention in considerable detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that modifications and variations may be made in the form of the apparatus employed. We do not therefore wish to be limited to the exact arrangement and construction herein shown and described, and claim as our invention all embodiments thereof coming within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In apparatus of the type described, a draw bench, a series of discharge arms having inclined upper surfaces spaced along said draw bench, means for supporting said arms for movement in a substantially horizontal plane 'into and out of discharging position transversely of said draw bench, individual fluid. pressure actuated means for moving each of said arms independently from retracted into discharging position, a carriage movable on said draw bench, means on said carriage for controlling the operation of said fluid pressure actuated means for moving said discharge arms from retracted into operating position, individual fluid pressure actuated means for moving each of said discharge arms from discharge into retracted position, and a common control means whereby all of said last named fluid pressure actuated means may be operated mm a: m. arm pivotal- 1y supported at one side or said bench for moveand swing saidfarmvfrom r ment in 'a substantially horizontal plane, said arm eration of the apparatus to swing said'arm into dischars ns position -transversely of said bench,

in retracted position, means on saidcarriage for ing means.

3. In apparatus of the type described, a draw bench, a carriage supported for movement longi-- tudinally of said bench, a discharge arm having aninclined upper suriace pivotally supported at one side of said bench for movement in a subtuatedmeans tending at all times during operation of the apparatus to swing into dishaving an inclined .upper surface, fluid pressure actuated means tending at all times during opreleasing said locking means, and means for conducting fluid under pressure to said arm operatstantially horizontal plane, fluid pressure accharging position transversely of said bench, fluid pressure actuatedmeans adapted to overcome said iirst named'fluid pressure actuated means into 1'8- tracted position, means for locking said arm in retracted position, means onsaid carriage for releasing saidlocking means, means for con ducting fluid under pressure to said arm operating means, means for restricting the flow of fluid under pressure from said arm operating means, and valve means for controlling the application of operating pressure to said means for moving said arm-irom discharging into retractedposition.

4, Discharge arm mechanism including .an arm having an inclined upper. surface, a shaft supporting said arm for swinging movement in a substantially horizontal plane, a pair of cylinders one larger in diameter than the other, pistons in said cylinders, operating connections between said pistons and said shaft, afluid pressure conducting conduit leading to the smaller'of said cylinders, a' fluid pressure conducting con.- duit leading to the larger oi-said cylinders, valve means in said secondfluid pressure conduit, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said conduits, said valve being adapted to disconnect said large cylinder from the fluid pressure supply and connect it to atmosphere when in one position and to close the atmospheric connection and connect said large cylinder directly to the pressure supply when in another position, and disengageable latch means for retaining said arm in retracted position.

. 5. Discharge arm mechanism including an arm having an inclined upper surface, a shaft supporting said arm for swinging movement in substantially horizontal plane, a pair of cylinders bench, a carriage supported 1 tudinally or said bench, a discharge arm pivotally 2,902,489 I v v onelargerindiameterthantheotheapistonlin meansin said second fluid pressure conduit.

means for supplying fluid under pressure to said conduits, said valve means being adapted to disconnect said large cylinder from the fluid pressure supply and'connect it to atmosphere when in one position and to close the atmospheric connection and connect said large cylinder directly to the pressure supply when in another position, disengageable latohmeans for retaining said arm in retracted position, and means for controlling the discharge 'of fluid from said cylinders whereby the rate of swinging movement of said am is controlled.

6. .In apparatus of the type described, a draw bench, a carriage supported on said bench, a discharge arm having an inclined upper surface, a support forsaid arm whereby it may be moved only in a substantially horizontal plane into and out of dischar n P s tion, means tending at all times during operation of the apparatus to move said arm into discharging position, retracting means for moving said arm out of discharging p sition into retracted position, means for locking said am in retracted position, release means on said carriage for releasing said locking means as said carriage moves in drawing direction on said bench, and control means for said retracting means. r f

7. In apparatus of the type escribed, a drawmovement longisupported at one side of said bench for move-.

ment in a substantially horizontal plane, said am having an inclined upper surface, fluid pressure actuated means tending at .all times during the operation of the apparatus to swing said arm into discharging position transversely of said bench, fluid pressure-actuated means adapted'to overcome said first named fluid pressure actuated means and swing said arm in a substantially horizontal plane from dfizharging into retracted position, means for locking said arm in retracted position, means on said carriage for releasing said locking means, means for conducting fluid under pressure'to said arm operating means, and

means for pivotally suporting said fluid pressure actuated means and said am on said drawbench whereby the weight of said fluidpressure actuated means will normally hold said arm out of enwith the top of said drawbench when a drawn article is disposed on said arm.

1 WILLIAM RODDER;

DONALD, V. S'I'RDCK. 

